Health Issue: Insects' tiny brains..

Insects' tiny brains

capable of giant feats

Sydney: Insects may have tiny brains the size of a pinhead, but latest research shows just how clever they really are. For the first time, researchers from the University of Adelaide's physiology department have worked out how insects judge the speed of moving objects.

        It appears that insect brain cells have additional mechanisms which can calculate how to make a controlled landing on a flower or reach a food source. This ability only works in a natural setting. David O'Carroll, associate professor from University of Adelaide, who led the study, says insects have well identified brain cells dedicated to analyzing visual motion, which are very similar to humans.

        "We have known for many years that they can estimate the direction of moving objects but until now we have not known how they judge speed like other animals," O'Carroll says.

          "It appears they take into account different light patterns such as a foggy morning or a sunny day, and their brain cells adapt accordingly. "This enables them to distinguish moving objects in natural settings. It explains the fact that neurouns can exhibit compoex behaviour."